When I first came in July Tasha was on quarantine because Doris did not want her pregnant again. This quarantine consisted of creative tying styles and sleepless nights while she howled on the porch just outside my window.  

We tied Tasha up with chains and extension cords for extra length


 All the effort was not effective! We have five new additions to our EGO family! :-) 

K9, Reiley, Taz, Toby, Mac

This past week we had the pleasure of having a team of 8 from Canton, Michigan. Chris and Beth Cooley headed up the team. This was the Cooley’s second trip this fall, and it felt like family was coming home to visit. I have to share; I thought it was hard because of Beth meaning Cow. Cooley however translates to running (i.e Beth Cooley = running cow) Mrs. Cooley is very gracious and handles the Haitian humor with ease.

The week started off with a party celebrating Don’s 81^st birthday.  The following day the Guys of the team began the bathroom and showers for the girls. In a short amount of time and with much sweat they made progress on the sewage system and foundation. Ken and Don were both impressed with how they worked together and their understanding of Haitian construction process.

 

 The team also included Pastor Alex and wife Marcy who worked with the Church leadership and Teens. This was a great encouragement and revival for our teens! Pastor Alex is very creative and loves props for his sermons. One night he had Max trying to make firecrackers out of The Works bathroom cleaner and tinfoil. For a sermon from James chapter 3 he wanted a cow tongue to burn. With much curiosity, Madame cherishal obliged the next morning by showing up with a freshly butchered tongue.

^"5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." James 3:5-6

 The team’s motto was “make love a verb.” I was impressed with how they truly acted this out. They represented Christ with servant hearts and joyful attitudes whether in the guesthouse, work site, or playing with the kids.

Clinic has been trucking along, and we are all very excited about implementing our new documentation on the computer.  Recently I have been noticing our patients come in waves. September = Scabies; October =Fungus and Malaria; November = Cholera and wounds. Last week I had a gentleman come in with a covered foot wound. He removed the sock to reveal a foot that reminded me of Mr. Deeds. An open wound with all five toes blacken. One month ago a “Beff” had stepped on his foot. He had previously been to a doctor, but refused the diagnosis of needing an amputation.  It breaks my heart every time I have people come in like this. His main provision for his family is through manual labor in a field. Survival in Haiti is difficult enough without adding a disability to the mix!

                         

As a sit here writing, I hear in the distance cheers from a local soccer game. In our front yard laughter from the kids spending their Sunday afternoon playing on the play set. Then comes the crunch of little feet on our stone walkway. “Elizabet!” My greatest joy here comes from these little voices. Typically my name is followed by “Vant Femal” or “Blese.” Meaning stomachaches and scrapes. I constantly have kids at my door sometimes needing a nurse, but always needing a little extra love and attention. I praise the Lord for the blessing of being here serving these precious little ones!